I have a 9 year old Skoda Octavia A7 1.6 TDI 77kW (2015) with about 75.000miles (120.000km).

Everything was fine until a 9 months ago when after about 5 to 10 minutes of starting the car on uphill overheating warning was thrown. I stopped, waited a minute and everything was fine. Since then it happened a several times that temp indicator went very quickly (in 20s) over 90C in the first 10 minutes of driving on uphill, I'd just slow down and it would quickly go down to 90C and stay there for remainder of the ride.

Since it happens very rarely servicer could not tell me with any certainty what might be at fault. He suggested he change the water pump and pray for the best. He also said since it is a good opportunity to do the big service (belt change and all that goes with it) since it hasn't been done yet.

Any thoughts on this issue? Should I proceed with big service and change water pump and belt?

By searching some 5+ year old threads I found this (it looks to be the issue, but I'm not sure).

 

Definitely sounds like the water pump, have a read through this sticky. I've had mine replaced shortly after buying it second hand in 2018 (when it was 3 years old) and again in 2023.

Under load the temp gauge would go into the red then back down again to 90deg if I backed off or stopped for a short while.

 

 

 

To avoid sticking sleeve problems, some are installing aftermarket pumps, which has no el-magnetic valve and has no sleeve.

Even top-manufacturers has this type (non-switchable or non-regulated) pumps in their assortment.

How warm-up time will be affected? Guys in RU forums says, it's nonsense and everything works ok.

But I want to trust that quality of pumps is much better now and we can normally install correct/switchable/regulated pump again.

INA, for example. OE pump also is INA. Most of aftermarket water pump-belt-roller's kits includes INA pump.